The lights are on
John Beiswenger, author of "Link," has taken Ubisoft to court over claims the publisher lifted story ideas from his novel to create the Assassin's Creed universe.
The complaint, which was filed earlier this week in a Pennsylvania court, outlines many of the similarities between the book and the game. In "Link," the plot introduces the conception and creation "of a device and process whereby ancestral memories can be accessed, recalled, relived, and re-experienced by the user."
Both also include spiritual and religious tones, assassinations, and characters experiencing historical events through their ancestors’ memories. "Ubisoft have directly copied, and directly and contributorily infringed on the whole of Plaintiff’s copyrighted work," the lawsuit claims. "Link" was first published in 2003.
Beiswenger is seeking 1.05 million in damages and up to $5.25 million if the judge rules Ubisoft knowingly infringed on the copyright, in addition to halting the release of Assassin's Creed III and related products.
Ubisoft said it does not comment on ongoing litigation.
The complaint in PDF form can be read here.
[via Patent Arcade]
The author has a point but as others have said, demanding the halt of a huge, successful, and creative (from the gameplay standpoint) game is just a jerk move. Plus, it's taken him 9 years to notice.
"Animus" is a better name then "Link" anyway i thought Shigeru Miyamoto was suing when i first heard the title of the book
To the person sueing: *** off. And to Ubisoft, don't you DARE let them halt AC3.
No way this guy will ever win this case. But if he delays the release of Assassin's Creed 3 at all there will be hell to pay
seriously? i have come to the conclusion that there are people out there with nothing better to do than sit around and find something to sue someone else over. there are so many stories that have been duplicated and retold over the course of history. and lets all be honest... apparently the crew at ubisoft did a lot better job telling the story than mr beiswenger because they are the ones with one of the top gaming titles.
ubisoft: please put this guy in his place and keep up the great work. hands down one of the greatest and most enjoyable incorporations of history into gaming. and to be such a big front runner for such a relatively young title. bravo ubisoft. assassin's creed was the reason i bought a 360 all those years ago and i cant wait for 3.
I hope he dies in a car fire. Now read the rest, jerk. Be flattered not envious. No one should own fictional concepts. Individual stories are another case entirely but a concept should be free to explore through all creative mediums and by anyone who wishes to build their own work around it. Imagine an author could claim rights to time travel or space flight, orcs and magic; we'd be screwed.
Busted! Naughty naughty, you'll get caughty.
If this guy screws up the date I'm get pissed.
Well, I have been waiting for AC3 to come then they stop the release of the game. I can't believe they will stop the release of AC3 I was looking forward of playing AC3.
how sad man this barely wants sue and really dont think he will win anyways sure they will see he just in it for the money. plus the way his gay book is isnt even original so he needs stop thinking he got all the ideas for his big on his own. a lot of games moies and book get ideas from other sources.